Missing Counter Series: Soviet T-80

Paul M. Weir

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While 120 might not seem much, especially by Soviet standards, it's almost the same number as the British Cruiser Mk I (125), though lower than the Cruiser Mk II (175).

It was not just a 2MT, it had the commander doubling as gunner (the commander's cupola is behind the CMG, not the gun sights), which meant a turret crew arrangement more like the British Valentine II or Light Tank Mk VIB, IE a ST, not a RST like the T-34 or T-26.

any body know where they were used?
By the time the T-80 came out light tanks were being dropped from Tank Brigades (21 light + 32 medium -> 65 medium). That meant that T-80 and T-70 were mainly used as HQ vehicles in '43 SU-76 regiments (16/20 SU-76 + 1 T-70/80), recon units, as liaison hacks and training of course. Later the T-70/80 in the SU-76 regiments were replaced by a SU-76 and in recon units by T-34. That left them mainly as liaison and rear area security vehicles. I don't remember many, if any, photos of T-70/80 from late '44 to '45.
 
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